Oregon settles hospital death lawsuit

The state of Oregon has agreed to pay $1.4 million to the family of a man who died at the state mental hospital.

The family's lawsuit said Moises Perez was treated inhumanely and the nursing staff failed to monitor his condition.

Perez was 42 when he died of coronary heart disease in 2009. An investigation showed that he lay dead for several hours in his room across from the nursing station before his body was discovered.

Over the years, the hospital has frequently been criticized for instances of mistreating patients. Superintendent Greg Roberts says Perez's death was a tragedy that led to improvements in patient care and treatment.

The settlement was signed on May 20. It was disclosed to The Associated Press under Oregon's public records law.